Prepare Your Mountain Home for Winter: 8 Things to Do This Fall

Winter can arrive quickly in Summit County. A stretch of warm fall days can turn into freezing temperatures and snowfall before you know it, which makes fall a perfect time to get your mountain home ready for the season ahead.

Homes in Breckenridge and throughout Summit County deal with conditions that aren't always a concern at lower elevations, including heavy snowfall, ice buildup, freezing temperatures and long stretches of cold weather. For second-home owners, there can also be an added challenge of protecting a property when no one is there. So, what should you do to prepare a mountain home for winter? Start prepping in fall with these eight home maintenance tasks.

1. Service Your Heating System

With the cold temperatures mountain living brings, your heating system isn't something you want to discover has a problem in the middle of winter. Before the snow falls, it's important to have your furnace, boiler, radiant heat or other heating system inspected and serviced as needed. Replace or clean filters, test your thermostats and make sure the system is heating the entire home properly. Have a fireplace or wood-burning stove? Fall is a great time to have the chimney or flue inspected and cleaned if needed.

Local Tip: If you have a second home here, a temperature monitoring system can alert you to significant temperature changes while you're away.

2. Winterize Exterior Water Lines

Freezing temperatures and water lines aren't a great combination. Make sure to disconnect garden hoses and prep exterior faucets, irrigation systems and other seasonal water lines for the winter months. Outdoor kitchens, hot tubs and other exterior plumbing may need additional attention depending on the property. If you're not sure what needs to be drained, shut off or winterized, contact a qualified local professional who is familiar with mountain homes.

3. Clean Gutters and Check Drainage

Keeping drainage paths clear gives melting snow and water somewhere to go rather than allowing it to collect around the roofline or home. That's why it's important to clear leaves, pine needles and other debris from gutters and downspouts before snow starts to accumulate. It's also worth checking where your downspouts drain and making sure water is being directed appropriately away from the structure.

4. Inspect Your Roof and Heat Tape

Roofs in Summit County have a lot to deal with during the winter months, from accumulating snow to ice and repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Roof and heat-tape issues are best addressed before they're buried in snow, so be sure to check yours before winter arrives. Look for damaged or missing materials, and if your home has roof or gutter heat tape, make sure it's working properly before the first major snowstorms arrive. We recommend having a qualified roofing or electrical professional evaluate anything that looks questionable rather than attempting potentially hazardous repairs yourself.

5. Make Snow Removal Arrangements

Planning ahead for snow removal will make your life much easier when the first foot of snow has landed in your driveway. If you typically hire a snow-removal company, confirm your service for the upcoming winter. If you handle it yourself, check your snowblower and make sure your shovels and equipment are easily accessible. In Breckenridge, property owners are responsible for clearing their private driveways, including the berm or windrow that can be left behind when town roads are plowed. Snow from private property should remain on private property rather than being pushed into the public right-of-way.

6. Check Windows, Doors and Weather Sealing

Cold air has a way of finding small gaps around windows and doors. Walk through your home and check for drafts, worn weatherstripping and areas that may need to be sealed. While you're outside, look at the exterior caulking and other weather-exposed areas for deterioration. Taking care of these smaller issues in the fall is a lot easier than dealing with them once temperatures drop and snow begins to accumulate.

7. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Heating systems and fireplaces get more use during the winter, which makes fall a good time to check your home's smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Test each alarm and replace batteries or devices as needed according to the manufacturer's recommendations. If you aren't sure whether your home's alarms are properly located or meet current requirements, have a qualified professional take a look.

8. Prepare Your Home for Time Away

This one is especially important for second-home owners. If your property will sit unoccupied for days or weeks at a time, it's best to think through potential risks before you leave. Make sure the home's heating and plumbing systems are prepared for cold weather and that someone local can access the property if needed. Temperature and water-leak monitoring devices can also help you keep an eye on your home from a distance. It's a good idea to keep contact information for your property manager, snow-removal provider, plumber, heating professional and other local service providers somewhere you can easily access from out of town.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start preparing my mountain home for winter?

Early fall is a great time to get started. Snow and freezing temperatures can arrive well before the official start of winter, and local service providers often get busier as the season approaches. Taking care of maintenance in September or October gives you plenty of time to address anything that comes up.

What should I consider if my Summit County home sits vacant during the winter?

Think about how you'll know if something goes wrong while you're away. Having a local contact who can access the property is helpful, and temperature or water-leak monitoring can provide an extra layer of awareness. It's also worth making sure your snow removal provider and other important local contacts are easy to reach when you're out of town.

Does every mountain home need the same winter preparation?

No. A home's needs can vary based on its location, elevation, roof design, heating and plumbing systems, sun exposure and how often it's occupied. A full-time residence may require a different approach than a second home that sits vacant for several weeks at a time.

Why is fall maintenance especially important for mountain homes?

Homes in Summit County experience long periods of freezing temperatures along with snow, ice and changing mountain weather. Taking care of smaller maintenance items before winter can help identify potential issues while they're generally easier to access and address.

Get Your Mountain Home Ready for Winter

Every Summit County home is different, and its winter maintenance needs will depend on the property's location, heating and plumbing systems, roof design and how often it's occupied. Taking care of a few key tasks in the fall can make the transition into winter much easier. Preparing early means less to think about once the snow starts falling and more time to enjoy winter in Summit County.

If you're considering buying or selling a home in Summit County, Breckenridge Associates Real Estate has been helping clients navigate mountain real estate and homeownership for decades. Contact our local team at 970-453-2200 or stop by our office at 229 S. Main Street in Breckenridge.